Food and Nutrition Services

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is a federal food assistance program that helps low-income families. In North Carolina monthly allotments of FNS benefits are issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT cards) . The purpose of Food and Nutrition Services is to end hunger and improve nutrition and health. It helps eligible low-income households buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.

Food and Nutrition Services is an entitlement program, so all eligible individuals and households can receive assistance. Benefits may be used to purchase most foods at participating stores. They may not be used to purchase tobacco, pet food, paper products, soap products, or alcoholic beverages.

Eligible households must have the opportunity to access benefits no later than thirty days from the date of application. Individuals with special circumstances must have an opportunity to use their benefits within seven days from the date of application.

All households must meet an income test to receive benefits. Income limits vary by household size.

You *may* be eligible for Food and Nutrition Services if your total income falls below
the gross income limits for your household size. Please be aware that the
eligibility workers at your local county Department of Social Services have many other factors to consider in determining if you are eligible.

"Household" size refers to the number in the household who may be eligible for FNS. Individuals who receive SSI may have different eligibility requirements.

Household Composition

Individuals residing together, but purchasing and preparing their meals separately, may participate in FNS as a separate household. Some individuals must participate in FNS as one household even though they purchase and prepare their meals seperately.

Individuals who must participate in FNS as one household are:

• Individuals living together who purchase/prepare their food together or will do so upon receipt of food assistance
• Spouses living together or individuals representing themselves as husband and wife to the community
• Individuals under 22 living with a parent
• Individuals under 18 under the parental control of an adult living in the home; or
• Two unmarried adults living in the same home who are parents of a mutual child

Citizenship/Immigration Status

Each member of the FNS household must be a U. S. Citizen or an immigrant admitted to the United States under a specific immigration status. Citizens and eligible immigrants must also meet all other FNS eligibility requirements to receive assistance.

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Work Requirements

Some individuals are required to participate in Food and Nutrition Services work programs, such as Employment and Training and Workfare. These individuals must meet special work requirements. Able-bodied adults between 18 and 49 who do not have any dependent children can get benefits only for 3 months in a 36-month period if they do not work or participate in a Workfare or Employment and Training program other than job search. Other members of the household may continue to get benefits even if this person is not eligible. In some locations, this requirement does not apply.

This limited eligibility requirement does not apply if the adult:

• Works 20 hours a week (or 80 hours a month), or is engaging in a variety of allowable work-related activities for the same amount of time (such as Employment and Training, WIA, etc.), or
• Is pregnant or disabled, or
• Lives in a home where a child under the age of 18 resides.

In addition, adults in certain economically distressed counties are exempt from this requirement.

Resources

Households may have $2,000 in countable resources, such as bank accounts, money in certain retirement accounts, and vehicles. Households may have $3,000 if at least one person is age 60 or older or disabled. Certain resources are not counted, such as homes, buildings, and land. The resources of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Work First payments or services are not countable.

The following licensed or unlicensed vehicles are totally excluded:

• One motor vehicle per adult (age 18 or older;
• Vehicles with equity value of less than or equal to $1500;
• Vehicles used for long distance travel essential to the employment of a FNS Unit member;
• Vehicles used to transport a physically disabled FNS Unit member;
• Vehicles used to carry the FNS Unit's main source of water or heating fuel for home use;
• Income producing vehicles;
• Vehicles used as a home; and
• Leased vehicles.

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Many women and children in Food and Nutrition Services households are also eligible for food assistance through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program, administered by the NC Division of Public Health .

To learn more about Food and Nutrition Services please visit the United States Department of Agriculture 's web site.

If you have questions or comments please feel free to contact us via email

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Receive an application when you ask for it.
• Turn in your application the same day you receive it.
• Receive your Food and Nutrition Services (or be notified that you are not eligible for the program) within 30 days after you turn in your application.
• Receive Food and Nutrition Services within 7 days if you are eligible for emergency benefits.
• Have a fair hearing if you disagree with any action taken on your case.

In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington , D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202)
720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Page Last Updated 07/31/2008